Digital Embroidery on Photoshop: Art on Scarves

Hello! I'm Carolê, a visual artist and pattern and surface designer since 2010. I find inspiration as I travel across Brazil, always inspired by and breathing in our culture. In this context, the main narratives for my creations emerge.

We begin our journey along the edges of the scarf, where each stitch reflects a story, a culture. In the world of digital embroidery, preserving the authenticity of the "little flaws" is what brings our art to life. In Photoshop, each "stitch" is an opportunity to show that imperfection is, in fact, perfectly human.

It's important to remember that in embroidery, absolute symmetry is an illusion. There's always a human touch, a variation that brings authenticity. My goal is to create an effect so realistic that it leaves people wondering whether they are looking at real or digital embroidery.

To achieve this effect, how each element reflects light must be carefully considered. This means we need variation in the elements that make up the embroidery. Three variations of each detail are ideal to ensure that the composition looks organic and alive. Exact duplication of elements can result in an artificial appearance, something we avoid at all costs.

In this process, coloring is vital. I use basic Photoshop tools to adjust hue, saturation, color balance, levels, color replacement, and selective color. These adjustments are essential to bring our color palette to life, respecting the skeleton of our composition.

Given the artisanal nature of this type of work, the pattern files can become quite heavy. It's crucial, then, to avoid any feature that adds unnecessary weight to the file. That's why I make it a point to merge layers and organize groups carefully, avoiding the use of color masks and smart objects that could overload the file.

Here are some tips and steps for those who want to embark on this fascinating creation process:

- Explore Imperfection: Allow human variations to be part of your design, bringing authenticity to the work.

- Attention to Light Reflection: Vary the elements so that light reflects naturally, creating depth and realism.

- Organization is Key: Keep your file light by merging layers and organizing groups efficiently.

- Master Color Tools: Use basic Photoshop tools to bring your color palette to life, respecting the harmony of the composition.

- Avoid Unnecessary Weight: Stay away from features that make your file unnecessarily heavy.

I leave here the model of the scarf for you to download:

I invite you to discover more about this creative process and many others in my new course at Domestika. Together, we will explore the depths of digital design with an embroidery effect, opening doors to new creative possibilities.